And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

1 KINGS 3:8KJV
Know the Bible

1 Kings 3:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 3:8 mean?

1 Kings 3:8 describes Solomon speaking to God, acknowledging that he is surrounded by the people God has chosen—so many that they cannot be counted. Solomon is expressing his awareness of the great responsibility he has as king over such a vast nation.

In this verse, Solomon is praying at Gibeon after becoming king. He calls himself God's servant and points out that he is in the midst of God's chosen people, Israel, who are described as "a great people" too numerous to be numbered or counted. This sets the stage for Solomon’s request for wisdom, showing his humility and the overwhelming task before him.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 3:8

  • עֶבֶד (ʿeved, "servant"): Solomon calls himself God's servant, highlighting his humility and dependence on God rather than claiming authority for himself.
  • בְּתוֹךְ (bᵊtokh, "midst"): This word shows Solomon sees himself right among the people, not above or apart from them, emphasizing his role as a leader who is part of the community.
  • בָּחַר (bachar, "chosen"): The people are described as those whom God has specifically chosen, underlining their special status and the weight of Solomon’s responsibility.
  • רַב (rav, "great"): The word for "great" points not just to the number but also to the significance and importance of the people Solomon is to lead.
  • לִמְנוֹת (limnot, "numbered") and לִסְפֹּר (lispor, "counted"): These words stress the sheer size of the nation, reinforcing why Solomon feels the need for divine help.

Why 1 Kings 3:8 matters

  • This verse explains why Solomon feels inadequate and why he asks God for wisdom rather than riches or power—he recognizes the enormity of ruling such a large, chosen nation.
  • The language highlights Solomon’s humility and sense of service, which is central to understanding his character at the start of his reign.
  • By emphasizing the people as God’s chosen and numerous, the verse connects Solomon’s reign to God’s promises to Abraham about his descendants, showing continuity in the biblical story.

Where else these words appear

“numbered” Hebrew H4487 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
  • 1 Chronicles 21:17 And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house; but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.
  • Isaiah 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.

“multitude” Hebrew H7230 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 16:10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.
  • Proverbs 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.